Sentenced for prostitute murder
The murderer of a prostitute was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment in the Middelburg circuit of the Pretoria High Court on Friday.
Philemon Ramatshokisa (34) was arrested three weeks after a body of a woman was found with 36 stab wounds in Nasaret Cemetery on 9 May 2010.
The woman, known only as Nomsa, is believed to be from Pretoria. She was a sex worker.
Nomsa was last seen by her friends when she left Natal Tavern known by patrons as KwaMaguduza.
In his testimony, Ramatshokisa told the court he was unaware that the woman was a sex worker until they were dropped near his house by a friend in Extension 24.
“On our way to my residence, Nomsa told me she was a prostitute and she was not planning on spending the whole night with me. I asked her how much she charges, she said R100.
I only had R70 on me and she agreed to have sex. We decided to go to the cemetery.
She gave me two condoms, I used one, and kept the other for later.
When I wanted a second round, she refused and wanted another R70, which I didn’t have. We fought, I stabbed her in the chest and thighs and left her at the scene,” he testified candidly.
File pictures of the body show that the victim was stabbed at the back of the head, her forehead, thighs, private parts, chest and stomach.
Her clothing and the used condom were photographed next to her body.
Ramatshokisa was 30-years-old and married at the time he confessed to the crime.
He told court that his wife was away during that weekend, visiting her family in Don Donald.
Provincial Commissioner, Lt. Gen. Thulani Ntobela welcomed Ramatshokisa’s sentencing and congratulated the investigating officer, W/O Shadrack Nkosi, for working tirelessly and managing to secure a conviction, albeit lenient.
•Nomsa received a pauper’s burial and police are still looking for her next of kin.
People with information can contact 013 243 4232.
